OhioRob

I am planning on taking the night train from Krakow to Budapest on Monday, August 31. It's a bit complicated using PolRail since they want to deliver the physical tickets to the USA for quite a sum.
Should I expect having problems walking in and getting a ticket that day for a sleeper car? Are there any alternatives to reserve a spot online?

Christina

I don't know whether you'll have trouble or not with no notice (aren't you going to be there ahead of time for some period, not just show up that day in Krakow?), but just checked the website and there are other options as to how to get your ticket, so not sure why you are seeing they must be mailed. I tried to buy that exact ticket and was able to choose that I could have it delivered to a hotel or address in Poland OR that I could pick it up at their office next to the Krakow rail station, if I didn't want it mailed, and they had my address as in the US.

So why can't you do one of those? They only charge 30 PLN (US $8) for pickup at the train station.

They didn't show anything but couchette cars available for that train.

PalenQ

www.bahn.de/en - German railways pan-European web site says that train EN 477 (EuroNight) has snacks part way from sleeping car attendant - usually sleeping car means private singles, doubles and triples but maybe it just means couchettes - my latest Thomas Cooks says teh Budapest to Krakow night train has first class and second class sleeping cars and 2nd class couchettes.

Christina may have more current news than my several-month old Cooks Timetable.

If you can pick up the ticket at the station do so as Christina says for $8 (I have no info on that but she is usually spot on) - in the USA you could book thru Rail Europe or its agents but probably at a ssurcharge, sometimes hefty so compare fares - RE agents I would recommend for person service in my own experience - www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com - call either to check on prices. Check www.seat61.com for possible tips on this situation.

Would you be able to get those tickets on in Poland - I suspect yes for sleeping cars and maybe for couchettes - latter much cheaper but shared accommodations usually unisex of 6 berths in a compartment.

PalenQ

Have you taken overnight trains before? some folks just can't get a good night's sleep - but many can - there will always always be a modicum of nose from outside the train even in private compartments - station stop s- wheels squeaking against the tracks - PA announcements in stations and folks going by in the corridor, etc.

I've taken zillions ofovernight trains in Europe and rarely have any problems sleeping - even in couchettes with theinevitable loud snorer - but if sensitive to noise night trains may not be for yah.

PalenQ

They didn't show anything but couchette cars available for that train.>

Who is 'they' - just wanting to clarify as this question pops up quite a bit about this particular night train or I often recommend it as a way to get between the two far removed cities with so-so scenery in between them.

Thanks - not doubting you but...want to have the current status - my Thomas Cooks is 7 months old and www. bahn.de/en may not be up to date either.

Al_O

OhioRob, did you end up taking this train?

I am considering taking it next spring (2 person compartment) and would like to know anyone's experience with it. How noisy it is? What about needing a rest room in the middle of the night? any other comments about it would be helpful.

PalenQ

There are toilets (WCs) at each end of the sleeping car - except on a very few trains there are no WCs in the compartments but may be a wash basin - no showers on most trains - this train has none of these TMK.